Electrolyzer for producing hydrogen and oxygen



G. FAUSERv ELECTROLYZER FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN Filed April 11, 19.22`

l ployed if found desirable.

Patented May 27, 1924.

s PAT GIACOMO FAUSER, 0F NOVARA, ITALY.

ELECTROLY'ZER FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN.

Application filed April 11, 1922. Serial No. 551,729.

To all whom it may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, GIACOMO FAUSER, electrical engineer, residing at 5 Via Barazzuolo, Novara, Italy, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrolyzers for Producing Hydrogen and Oxygen, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements 1n apparatus for the production of hydrogen and oxygen gas from water by electrolysis and the invention has for its object to p rovide an apparatus of this type involvlng numerous improved features tending to increase its efficiency' and to prolong its life and utility.

A further object of the invention consists in providing an electrolyzing .apparatus wherein danger of the combination of one of the gases with the other during the operation of the apparatus, is reduced to a mm1- mum by the provision of an envelope-like diaphragm enclosing each electrode, the spaces between the Various .diaphragms at the top of the apparatus being unobstructed so as to permit the gases liberated by the electrodes and ascending througha rupture in an enlarged diaphragm, to escape into the atmosphere.

In the accompanying drawing wherein an approved embodiment of the invention 1s illustrated, Fig. l is a vertical sectional View vthrough the approved 'clectrolyzing apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan viewof the apparatus, partly in section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 of a modification of the invention. i

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates a casing or container having an open top and an inturned downwardly extending marginal flange A. The electrodes D are immersed in the water contained in the casing A to which is added a causticsoda solution or other electrolyte, and, while only three electrodes D are shown in the accompanying drawing, it will be understood that a greater number -may be em- The upper portions of the several electrodes D are received within the gas receivers G, the upper portions of which are closed except for openings communicating with the pipes g' by which the gases are conveyed to a suitable storage tank or the like. The two outside electrodes D are connected by 'conductors R with the positive pole of a suitable source of electromotive force and during the operation of the apparatus, said outside electrodes constitute anodes and liberate oxygen. The center electrode D and the conducting casings A are connected by conductors S with the negative pole of the source lof the current and said center electrode and the internal surface of the casing A constitute cathodes which, during the operation of the apparatus, liberate hydrogen.

Each of the electrodes D is received within an envelope-like or hollow diaphragrnK, the upper end of which is open and is suitably fastened to the adj acent open end of the contiguous receiver G while the lower open end thereof terminates a distance above the bottom of the casing A. The hollow diaphragms K are preferably formed of asbestos cloth and thc several diaphragms and receivers are spaced apart, so that, in the event that any 'one' or more of the dia- .rphragms is broken, the gas liberated by the electrode will escape therethrough and, rising to the surface of the water at a point between the receivers G, may freely escape into the atmosphere.

The diaphragm K which coacts with the interior surface ofthe wall of the casing A is arranged in spaced relation thereto and depends from the inwardly and downwardly turned flange A, the space between the latter and the surface of the water constituting a receiver and having a gas conducting pipe g communicating therewith.

Supplemental gas receivers G are arranged at points midway the top and bottom of the electrodes D, and are adapted to receive the gas liberated by those portions of the electrodes lying thereunder; As suggested in Fig. 1, the supplemental receivers G which are substantiallyof inverted troughlike form, are inclined slightly from the horizontal and the upper extremities thereof, are connected with gas tubes Gr2 by which the gas is' conducted to the main gas receiver Gr. The supplemental gas receiver G re- 'ceiving the gas liberated by the lower portion ofthe inner surface of the casing A, is constituted by an inwardly and downwardly directed rim attached midway the height of the casing A, thus forming a trap or chamber in which the gas may accumulate and from which it is conducted to the main receiver G through the gas conducting tube G2. The electrodes D' are directly attached to the receivers G as by soldering, While those ortions of the outer surfaces of the receivers which come' in contact with the liquid in the container or casing A have applied thereto an insulating and protective covering which is preferably constructed of such material as is impervious to the chemical action of the electrolyte.

Now what ll claim is:

1. lln an apparatus ot the character described, a easing having an open upper end, electrodes arranged in said casing, gas receivers associated with said electrodes, and arranged in spaced relation at the upper lower ends of said casing, and diaphragms depending from said receivers and completely enclosing the sides and endspo'f the electrodes.

2. lln an apparatus of the character described, a casing having an open upper end, electrodes arranged in said casing, gas receivers associated with said electrodes, and arranged in spaced relation at the upper lower ends of said casing, and diaphragms depending from ysaid receivers and completely enclosing the sides and ends of the electrodes, said casing being formed ofelectrical conducting material and constituting raaaeer an electrode and having the upper portion thereota turned inwardly and downwardly to provide a receiver or the gas liberated during the operation of the apparatus, and a diaphragm associated With said casing.

3. lln an apparatus of the character described, a casing, a plurality of electrodes arranged in said casing, gas receivers associated with said electrodes and arranged in spaced relation, diaphragme depending from said receivers and completely enclosing the sides and ends et thev electrode, the diaphragms associated with the respective electrodes being arranged in spaced relation whereby to permit the gas escaping from the rupture therein to ascend to the surface oit the liquid contained in the casing and to escape into the atmosphere through the open top of said casing.

4. lln an apparatus of the character described, a casing, a plurality of electrodes arranged in said casing, main gas receivers associated with said electrodes and arranged at the upper ends of the latter, supplemental gas receivers arranged midway the height of the electrodes, gas conducting tubes connecting said supplemental as receivers with said main gas receiver, an diaphragms enclosing said electrodes.

GIACUMO FAUSER. 

